(Updated) Rams release Laurinaitis, Long, Cook
• By Ben Frederickson
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_71283598-349d-50c0-99d8-9b5828820849.html
Two of the longest-tenured St. Louis Rams were released by the now-Los Angeles Rams in a move that went beyond mere salary cap measures on Friday.
Linebacker James Laurinaitis and defensive end Chris Long have been let go, along with tight end Jared Cook, the team announced.
The moves save the Rams $22.975 million in salary cap space, broken down as follows: Long ($11.75 million), Cook ($5.7 million), Laurinaitis ($5.525 million).
Even before Friday's moves the Rams already were swimming in salary cap space, with only $118 million committed towards the 2016 cap in what is expected to be a cap of $155 million. So that's $37 million of salary cap space alone, far more than the Rams had in any of their 21 offseasons in St. Louis.
Throw in about $6 million in leftover 2015 cap room that can be carried over to 2016 at the start of the league year next month. plus the $22.975 million saved by releasing Long, Laurinaitis, and Cook _ and that gives the Rams roughly $66 million in cap space.
So yes,, it looks like the team plans to make a big free-agent splash as it enters its first year back in southern California.
“This is the time of year when all NFL teams are faced with difficult decisions regarding their veteran players,” coach Jeff Fisher said in a statement released by the team. “Chris and James are the epitome of what it means to be a pro in this league and it’s been an honor to coach them both. They’ve been the pillars of our defense for many years and not enough can be said of their love for the game and for their teammates.
"Beyond the field, they took pride in mentoring the younger players and doing their part to make a real difference in the St. Louis community. We will always be grateful for James and Chris’ unselfish commitment to the Rams and wish them the best moving forward."
Long posted the following message to his Instagram page:
"Just heard that I'm about to be unemployed. I just want to personally and humbly thank the city of St. Louis again for all your support over 8 years. I love y'all so much for sticking with me through the ups and downs.
"I also want to thank our LA fans, and although I may never join you in SoCal, just know that I'll always appreciate you.
"Bottom line is, this is a production business. No excuses, the last two years have been (bleep). It's been painful to experience because I care deeply about my performance and my responsibility to my teammates. Before the last two years I'm very proud of what I was able to accomplish in St. Louis. I'm not surprised, but it doesn't make it any easier to leave your family.
"I look forward to the next chapter. Hungry and a lot to prove all over again. First I'm gonna have a beer. "
Long, drafted second overall by the Rams in 2008, started 95 of 114 games during his career. He recorded more than 300 tackles and 54.5 sacks. He led the team in sacks in 2011 and 2012.
Laurinaitis, a Ram since the second round of the 2009 draft, led the team in tackles through his first four seasons. Last season, he became the franchise's all-time leading tackler.
Cook joined the Rams as a free agent during the 2013 offseason, but never became the playmaker Rams fans hoped. He did set franchise records for most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season (672 in 2013) and in a single game (141 vs. Arizona on Sept. 8, 2013). He totaled 142 receptions for 1,786 yards and eight touchdowns as a Ram.
“Jared made an immediate impact when he joined the team in 2013," Fisher said. "It’s been a pleasure watching him grow from the time I drafted him in Tennessee to seeing him set franchise records in St. Louis. Like Chris and James, he’s been a mainstay in the community and his contributions are commendable. We hope for the best for Jared and his family as he embarks on the next steps of his career.”
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